Allied Travel Location Guide: Alaska
Even as we enter the heat of the summer, an unexpected travel therapy destination has taken hold as a favorite for allied travelers. Often forgotten and tucked away in the faraway northwest corner of the country, Alaska has become the location of fancy for adventure seekers as they choose their next contract. For those of you who aren’t familiar with “The Last Frontier,” we have put together a guide to help you get to know Alaska a little bit better. Who knows, it could be your next destination!
Finding Housing
As is with most locations, housing in Alaska can offer a variety of possibilities to interested travelers. It’s always best to peruse for housing options in online resource groups dedicated to travel therapy, as fellow travelers will have unique perspectives based on their own experience living there. Otherwise, Airbnb is always a useful option for short-term rentals, offering options for furnished and unfurnished arrangements.
If you are set on keeping things minimalist during your travels, Furnished Finder is an amazing service for you—offering strictly furnished homes and apartment rentals to choose from, so you can travel light and live comfortably throughout your assignment.
Bonus Tip: If you are looking for an assignment in Anchorage, the suburbs are a great place to rent, especially for solo travelers!
Getting Around
It might go without saying, but SUVs are crucial to a successful transportation experience in Alaska—needing to handle extreme weather conditions and the sprawl of sites and activities the state has to offer. If you don’t have an SUV or you are thinking about leaving your car at home before your assignment, not to worry! There are abundant options at your disposal.
Renting is always an option, whether you choose to do so as needed for trips around the state or long-term for the duration of your assignment—but it is also an expensive option, for you budget-conscious travelers out there. If your assignment places you in a more populated city, like Anchorage or Fairbanks, you can use ride-sharing services and public transportation to get around, but options will be much more limited in the rest of the state.
Bonus Tip: If you want to have a vehicle on hand for unbridled use, buying a used car is an affordable option—you can always sell at the end of your assignment!
Enjoying an Array of Activities
It’s all in the name. “The Last Frontier” is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream! Whatever your activities of choice, Alaska is sure to have you covered—boasting gorgeous natural landscapes and a variety of terrain for every interest. If hiking and site seeing is your thing, you’ll have 17 national parks at your disposal, including the world-renowned Denali National Park where Mount McKinley is located. If you want to explore the coastline, your kayak tour awaits—not to mention dogsled tours, bear viewing tours, and whale watching!
In what other state could you imagine doing so much all while on the same assignment? We certainly don’t know any.
Bonus Tip: Check out AllTrails to see some of Alaska’s best hikes!
Alaskan Eats
Yes, Alaska is well known for the insane number of salmon that is harvested and consumed by its inhabitants, but what do people eat when salmon is out of season? Well, Alaska has some unique cuisine to call its own, along with a robust brewery scene for you hop heads!
Have you heard of Reindeer Dogs? Well, they are a signature delicacy in Alaska. So, what exactly is a Reindeer Dog? In case you are wondering, they are made of actual reindeer. Featuring a special blend of reindeer (or caribou) meat with pork or beef and topped with Coca-Cola-glazed onions and other fix-ins, this phenomenon has swept the state since its creation in Anchorage. Sounds pretty tasty to us! If reindeer isn’t your meat of choice, you might try the bear? Yes, Alaska offers its fair share of game to eat from the frontier.
Bonus Tip: If you find yourself in Anchorage, make sure to check out the top spots for Reindeer Dogs and the best breweries while you’re there!
We hope this mini location guide was helpful in acquainting you with Alaska—both as a potential stop on your travel journey and a wonderfully mysterious part of the United States.
Interested in taking your travel career up north? Visit our website to explore the openings that Club Staffing has in Alaska.